If I Were GM: Arizona Cardinals Part 3

Moving quickly as the league year starts soon and I have 31 more teams to evaluate. I’m still optimistic this will be my only 3 part team. The Cardinals have way too many things going on.

Draft:

Let’s Quickly Look at the team needs again

QB: Added Bradford and Osweiler, but in order for this plan to work a future signal caller is needed

WR: John Brown is back but that leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I still think a future replacement for Larry Fitzgerald can be found in the draft.

OL: Still need to finish the remodel

CB: Brought back Tramon Williams so CB is not much of need now

LB: Brought back Josh Bynes but picking up another LB in the later rounds might be a good idea.

TE Depth: Added Virgil Green. TE is set for next year.

DL Depth: Cut Josh Mauro, resigned Xavier Williams and Olsen Pierre

Picks:

1st (15th Overall)

2nd (47)

3rd (~97) Comp

4th (~138) Comp

5th (150)

6th* (180)

7th* (212)

7th*(217)

*= Part of conditional trades. Unconfirmed whether they have those picks or not.

Strategy:

As much as I’m worried about Mike Mccoy being able to develop a QB this is now the time to get a franchise QB in the draft. I am willing to trade up to get the guy that I think is best suited for this team. As stated I think Mccoy needs a more NFL ready QB. Josh Allen though I think is the best QB in the class, he still needs time to develop. Sam Darnold turns the ball over too much. I think the best QB for the Cardinals is Baker Mayfield. He can make all of the throws and has the leadership capabilities that I think the Cardinals. Will he be there at 15? Maybe. Teams may be worried about his height or his footwork. Some teams believe that he has difficultly going through all of his projections, but I feel that that risk is not worth it. I think trading up into the top five is best. Where exactly in the top five depends on a lot of factors, such as where Cousins goes or what the Browns and Giants do at 1 and 2. So we will go through the hypothetical of Cousins going to the Broncos and the Browns take Josh Allen and the Giants Josh Rosen.

Trade:

Arizona Receives:

5th overall Pick

2018 4th Round Pick

Denver Receives:

15th Overall Pick

2019 First Round Pick

2018 3rd Round Pick

2018 3rd Round Compensatory Pick

I’m a fan of the trade up then trade down strategy. So after the trade up to get the QB moving down in the second round to gain one of the picks lost back.

Trade #2:

Arizona Receives

55th Overall Pick

2018 4th Round Pick

Carolina Receives:

45th Overall Pick

Draft Results:

Round 1: Baker Mayfield QB Oklahoma

Heisman trophy winner. Beautiful ball on release. Great down field accuracy. Can make all the throws the NFL requires.

Round 2 Simmie Cobbs Jr WR Indiana

Tall Receiver who is a redzone monster. Will easily become a go to inside the 20 for the Cardinals

Round 3: None

Round 4: Brandon Parker OT North Carolina A&T

Big and athletic. Long arms (35 3/8 inches). Small school riser. Could sneek into day 2.